The EPF Media film Four Paths to Dignity: The Struggle of Guatemalan Midwives is a brief yet fascinating exploration of a group fighting for their right to exist. The film not only highlights their struggles but stresses the importance of their work to the community.
The midwives, known as “comadronas,” come from a proud tradition, providing birthing services to women. These women, often indigenous and living in rural areas, don’t usually have access to hospitals and other healthcare. Many midwives featured are Mayan and carry on ancient midwife traditions to those in need. When some indigenous women do get to go to hospitals in Guatemala, their experiences aren’t always positive, thus strengthening the need for the comadronas to assist them. The clash between the modern medicine of the hospitals vs. the ancient traditions of the comadronas is always at the edge of the film, yet it isn’t fully explored.
However, despite the reliance many people have on these midwives, they often lack access to resources like stethoscopes and ultrasound machines that could help identify problems during pregnancy. While these midwives have real purpose to those who need them, it is also true that their patients could benefit from them taking advantage of advances in modern medicine. A lot of the documentary focuses on the Guatemalan government’s impact on the comadronas. The healthcare system in the country is disorganized, and often can’t meet the needs of the women who rely on the midwives for care. The hospitals and the comadronas live in an uneasy balance, knowing that each has a purpose for a specific set of people.
The film clocks in at a mere twenty-seven minutes, and that’s the main thing holding it back. A deeper exploration into the sociopolitical and cultural impact of the midwives would have enhanced the viewing experience. Audiences can do research on their own about the comadronas as well as Guatemala, but it would have helped had the film explored it a bit more. Four Paths to Dignity: The Struggle of Guatemalan Midwives would work in a series on modern North American countries. The educational documentary would also fit in academic libraries for professors teaching about reproductive rights, indigenous cultures, and the plight of women in modern society.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Cultural Awareness Programs: Incorporate the film into programs aimed at promoting cultural awareness and understanding, particularly focusing on indigenous cultures and their healthcare practices.
Women's Rights Discussions: Organize events centered around women's rights, featuring the film as a focal point for discussions on reproductive rights, healthcare access, and the empowerment of women.
Healthcare Disparities Workshops: Use the film as a starting point for workshops or educational sessions exploring healthcare disparities, especially in rural or marginalized communities, and discussing potential solutions.
Community Engagement Activities: Partner with local organizations or healthcare providers to organize community outreach events, utilizing the film to raise awareness about the challenges faced by midwives and indigenous communities in Guatemala.
How can this documentary be used in the classroom?
- Anthropology/Sociology Courses:
- Use the film as a case study in anthropology or sociology courses to examine the intersection of culture, tradition, and modern healthcare systems.
- Discuss the social dynamics at play, including power structures, gender roles, and the impact of colonialism on indigenous communities.
Gender Studies/Gender Health Courses:
- Explore themes related to gender and health by analyzing the role of midwives as caretakers and advocates for women's reproductive rights.
- Examine the challenges faced by women in accessing quality healthcare and the implications for gender equality.
Global Health/Public Health Courses:
- Incorporate the film into discussions on global health issues, focusing on healthcare access, maternal health, and the importance of culturally competent care.
- Explore strategies for addressing healthcare disparities and improving maternal health outcomes in underserved communities.
Latin American Studies Courses:
- Situate the film within the broader context of Latin American history, politics, and culture.
- Analyze the unique challenges faced by indigenous communities in Guatemala, including discrimination, marginalization, and cultural preservation efforts.
Critical Thinking and Discussion:
- Encourage students to critically analyze the film, considering its portrayal of healthcare systems, cultural traditions, and the complexities of providing care in resource-limited settings.
- Facilitate discussions on ethical dilemmas, such as balancing the preservation of cultural traditions with the adoption of modern medical practices.
By incorporating the film into library programming and classroom curriculum, educators and librarians can provide valuable opportunities for learning, dialogue, and community engagement on important social and healthcare issues.
Film Festivals
- Latin American Studies Association Film Festival, Canada
- Best Female Film - Int'l Film & Communication Festival of Indigenous Peoples, Ecuador
- Voices Against Silence Film & Video Documentary Film Festival, Mexico
- Cine Suma Paz Film Festival, Colombia
- (CLACPI) Latin American Coordinator for Indigenous Film and Communication Film Showcase, New York
- San Diego Latino Film Festival, California
Director Biography
Born in Chimaltenango, Gabriela Chaim Tumax pursued her film studies at the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. She received a scholarship for the Community Documentary Film Development Seminar from the Museum of Anthropology in Córdoba. Gabriela was aparticipant in the 2020 Autumn Documentary Audiovisual Residency "Cinema of Tomorrow" by Cuórum Morelia, Mexico. She took part in the third edition of the Women-Made Film Showcase with her debut short film De lo Indecible (About the Unspeakable).
Director's Statement
'Cuatro Caminos' and the living struggle of midwives questions the origin of our knowledge. Who validates what we know, who certifies knowledge as something valid and where do weleave the ancestral knowledge, the non-Western one. Strong women who taught me a lot andopened the doors of their homes full of life and resistance. - Gabriela Chaim Tumax
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